Elevated serum bromide in patients taking lithium carbonate

Serum bromide levels were determined for 20 patients receiving lithium carbonate for manic depressive illness. Bromides averaged 17.06 +/- 8.15 mg/dl, which exceeded the control average of 3.22 +/- 3.2 mg/dl. Elevated serum bromide in patients taking lithium may reflect altered renal function.